"The world tells women to drink. I challenge these messages and share language, resources and perspective." - Erin Shawstreet

Day 21: Mommy Juice + Changing The Narrative

Welcome to Day 21!

The above is an actual meme I shared from my personal Instagram account several years ago. I also had some favorite tea towels that read something like this:

IF YOU HAVE TO ASK IF IT’S TOO EARLY TO DRINK, YOU’RE AN AMATEUR AND WE CAN’T BE FRIENDS

I DRINK COFFEE UNTIL IT’S ACCEPTABLE TO DRINK WINE

Once you notice it, you’ll see it’s everywhere.

I thought they were cheeky, sassy, humorous and messages that told the world that:

This parenting shit is hard.

But I make it all happen for my family.

I power through.

I’m stressed and juggling ALL THE THINGS as a mom and business owner.

But wine gets me through.

And while these messages plastered on everything from t-shirts to coffee mugs didn’t cause my dependency on alcohol, they served in a way by allowing me to justify my own intake for the longest time as normal - and on trend. Because if everyone else is doing it, then it can’t be that bad, can it?

The truth is these messages normalize alcohol abuse.

Now I know some people may think, “it’s harmless humor” - but is promoting alcohol as a lifestyle narrative really funny?

Why do women predominantly do this?

Why don’t men promote their drinking as a coping mechanism to get through the day?

Why do we feel we need to numb ourselves and drown out our feelings to get through the day?

It’s dangerous and disregards millions of women who have a problem.

What can we do about it?

We can recognize the message is not true when we see it - and boy do we see it!

We can make the decision to not purchase items like this (even for others), not “like” them on social media and not share them on our own platforms.

We can start to call companies out for promoting these kinds of messages. Or at the very least, show support for companies who provide alternative messages of self-care that doesn’t revolve around alcohol abuse.

If you are on Instagram, I recommend you follow Erin Shawstreet at Tell Better Stories. She does a fabulous job of sharing these harmful messages and breaks it down on why it can be damaging to so many.

Also, someone asked me recently what I thought about parentings drinking in front of their children and I’ve provided my response in the video here.

FOLLOW THE NEXT STEPS TO COMPLETE DAY 21

Take note when you see these “mommy needs wine to get through the day” messages and remind yourself this is just not true - and potentially dangerous for women who are problem drinkers

Say your Daily Mantra "I am enjoying the journey that I’m on."

Head over to the Private Facebook Group and join us to share that you completed Day 21 (or share how these messages have shaped the narrative you told yourself about alcohol and motherhood)

Send any questions you may have to me at kim@100dayssober.com. I want us all to have a successful 30-Day Reset so let me know how I can help.